The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism · Chapter
I: What Is Hoped from Bolshevism explained
Russell examines Bolshevism as a new religion of hope, contrasting its idealistic promises with the grim realities in Russia.
What happens
Russell examines Bolshevism as a new religion of hope, contrasting its idealistic promises with the grim realities in Russia. He argues that fanatical belief in any creed leads to cruelty and warns that the Bolshevik methods, though aiming at a just society, may produce chaos and destruction. He distinguishes between factors due to war, Russian character, and essential Bolshevik philosophy, and stresses the need to minimize violence in the transition to socialism.
Themes in this chapter
Bolshevism as a Religion
Russell frames Bolshevism as a new religion that supplies hope and a fanatical creed, akin to early Christianity.
Hope vs. Reality
Contrasts the idealistic hopes of Communism abroad with the harsh realities inside Russia.
Fanaticism and Cruelty
Argues that fanatical belief in any creed, including Bolshevism, leads to cruelty and oppression.
Methods of Transition to Socialism
Discusses the necessity of minimizing violence in the transition and the problem of revolutionary methods.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“The chief thing that the Bolsheviks have done is to create a hope, or at any rate to make strong and widespread a hope which was formerly confined to a few.”
The Bolsheviks' main achievement is spreading a hope that was once limited to a small group.
Central thesis of the chapter.
“I cannot share the hopes of the Bolsheviks any more than those of the Egyptian anchorites; I regard both as tragic delusions, destined to bring upon the world centuries of darkness and futile violence.”
Russell sees Bolshevik hopes as tragic delusions that will lead to darkness and violence, like those of early Christian hermits.
Russell's personal stance against fanaticism.
“The hopes which inspire Communism are, in the main, as admirable as those instilled by the Sermon on the Mount, but they are held as fanatically, and are likely to do as much harm.”
Communist hopes are admirable but held with a fanaticism that will cause great harm.
Comparison to religious fanaticism.
“If Bolshevism remains the only vigorous and effective competitor of capitalism, I believe that no form of Socialism will be realized, but only chaos and destruction.”
If Bolshevism is the only alternative to capitalism, the result will be chaos, not socialism.
Russell's warning against Bolshevism as the sole socialist path.